Jesus You Are My Glory - Part 763

Jesus – You Are My Glory!

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”

Today, my internet was down. Not just for part of the day but all day, and late into the evening as well. None of the projects that I had planned to complete were finished. In fact, from a human perspective, my online activity for this day – what I consider to be my love offering endeavours to the world at large – were awash.

Thinking that the internet was a temporary glitch, I opened my Bible to Acts 24:5-6. Therein, Paul’s accusers are making claims against him for preaching Jesus and His kingdom to the people. Tertullus is making the claim. He states,

“For we have found this man a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who also hath gone about to profane the temple …”

In the following chapters, Paul shares his own testimony – about how at one time, he also did many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He spoke about how he had imprisoned many of the saints, even putting some to death. Paul told Agrippa (and those listening intently) how he would compel believers to blaspheme the name of Jesus – the same Jesus in whom was their hope. This was Paul’s life until Paul (whose original name was Saul) was blinded by a light on his way to Damascus.

“Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Saul asked, “Who art thou, Lord?”

And the voice speaking, said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”

Needless to say, this was the turning point for Saul/Paul. His life was about to change dramatically. Jesus told him that He had appeared unto him for a purpose. That is, “to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee … to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.”

My mission too, I thought. As the day went forward, there were conversations and phone calls, text messages and the like. Still, as many times as I checked, there was no internet service. By the time, supper was finished, I was clearly frustrated. By now, I had already forgotten the joy that I felt when I read that “being a pestilent fellow … and a mover of sedition … and a ringleader of the sect … who also hath gone about to profane the temple …” was sufficient to warrant jail time.

Those who know me would say that “going against the grain” is what I do best. Not just me, but my siblings too. The scriptural reminder was definitely worth a chuckle, knowing that if I could measure up to Paul – and His love for Jesus – even in some small degree, that I must be doing something right.

But as the hours passed without any internet service, even this simple message was lost. At one point, my hubby reminded me that even though my “work” is worthwhile, the Lord wants us to walk with Him in the cool of the day. He desires that we seek Jesus and His righteousness in everything that we do – all day long. To always seek His counsel, His wisdom and knowledge. To remember that God Almighty willingly shed His own blood on a cross so that I might have life, and have life more abundantly.

Of course, hubby even had verses to share. “Labour not for the meat which perishes but for the meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you – for Him hath God the Father sealed.” When asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” Jesus said, “This is the work of God – that you believe on Him whom He hath sent.” (John 6:26-35)

I still didn’t get it. The internet was still hovering someplace in cyberspace and I was at a loss.  The day is quickly nearing to an end. As I aimlessly listened to the wind howling outside, I turned on the music inside.

It didn’t take long before tears were streaming down my cheeks. My heart had been captivated as I listened to the song, “Lord, You have NEVER failed me – You have NEVER walked away – I will never let go of Your love.”

Jesus had finally got my attention. How could I have forgotten to praise the Most High King who has walked with me day in and day out of my life – cuddling me in the palm of His hand? How could I ever let go of the Saviour whose love has carried me through the numerous challenges of life? Even when the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes were upon me, my heart never had to fear what might happen next. Though war should rise against me, in Jesus could I forever be confident. He never left me even when I failed Him. Never once did Jesus ever forsake me. Through the trials and tribulations, Jesus knew my heart.

That is, the one thing that I desired of the Lord – the one thing that my heart wanted more than anything – to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in His temple.

But today, I needed a reminder. I needed to remember that “in times of trouble He [hid] me in His pavilion – in the secret of His tabernacle He [hid] me” and has, ever since, “set me upon a rock so that mine head would be lifted up above mine enemies around about me. Therefore, will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord … O God of my salvation.”(Psalm 27:1-6)

It took an entire day without internet service for the Lord to get my attention. For me to realize that I needed to walk every day in the cool of the day with my Lord God and Saviour -- who loved me enough to shed His precious blood on a cross for me.  I needed a reminder that only Jesus can set us free from the cares and burdens of this life. That even the internet (with all its capabilities to reach people) could not give me the peace and joy that Jesus could – and He didn’t need wires and satellite dishes to get it to me. But most of all, I had to learn that while the internet was stuck “out there someplace” Jesus was right there with me all the time. And He has NEVER failed me yet. In my darkest of moments, Jesus had a plan for my life.

Someone once said, “no one can cancel the call of God on your life.” My life is definitely a testament to this fact. This same Lord God who willingly became my Saviour is knocking at the door of your heart too. He wants to wrap you in His arms and unlock the chains that have kept you captive for far too long. Believe in Jesus today. Seek His righteousness. Feel His peace and joy and love that surpass all human understanding. He will become your glory too.

“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness …. In His favour is life; weeping may last through the night but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)